Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has observed that the Ghana Card is for development and not voting since registrations as citizens everywhere is the basis for development and must be looked at from that angle but not politics and voting.
He explained that “the country’s constitution is clear in mandating the Electoral Commission as the only institution to determine what should be used for voting and the Ghana Card by the National Identification Authority cannot replace voter’s card”.
Mr Nketia, who made the observation when he joined Muslims in Ho to celebrate Eid Al-Adha, noted that “the registration figures will be used to spread development and it is unnecessary for someone to try to suppress population in some regions for election purposes because numbers matter, denial of development starts from citizenship, let us all get involved and stop frustrations,” and commended the Muslim community for the peaceful coexistence and contributions to national development.
The NDC presented 20 cartons of bottled water, 20 crates of soft drinks and GHȻ1000 to the Muslim community to mark the celebration.
Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, said challenges with the registration were being addressed and that some 100 centres would be maintained for mop-up after the mass exercise in the region and assured that “National Identification offices will also be established in the districts and there was no cause for worry since the government is introducing prudent initiatives to modernise the economy and formalise the informal sector to quicken economic development.
“The government is grateful for the support it is receiving from the Muslim community and I urge you to remain tolerant and emulate the show of statesmanship by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.
The Regional Minister said soon, the national property addressing and tagging project would commence in the region and called for support and assistance from all and pledged a package on behalf of the government.
Earlier, Benjamin Kpodo, the Member of Parliament for Ho Central, described Muslims in Volta Region as peace loving.
Alhaji Hamza Danjuma, the Volta Regional Chief Imam, reminded Muslims to follow the teachings of the Quran and led them to pray for the country and its leaders. –GNA
